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By Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2021 HANOVER – Braeden Estes has followed a challenging road since he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a college basketball coach. There is no easy road. Estes, a 24-year old Lebanon High school graduate and the director of operations for Dartmouth College’s men’s basketball team, made his…
Read MoreBy Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2022 WEST LEBANON – It was cold enough outside Campion Rink on Friday night that Zamoni operator Ryan Damren closed the vehicle bay’s overhead door in an attempt to keep the building’s warmer air inside. On the ice, Lebanon-Stevens-Kearsarge goaltender Paige Hoegler did her best to slam the gate…
Read MoreHello, readers. As many of you know, I started Octopus Athletics after being laid off by the Valley News in March, 2020. It was a chance to continue my passion for covering local sports and to provide news and recognition to our area’s high school athletes. I was once a lousy sports player myself, but…
Read MoreBy Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2022 WHITE RIVER JUNCTION – The Hartford High girls basketball team scheduled a game with Danville this week on short notice. Unfortunately for the Vermont Division II Hurricanes, they were left with long faces Wednesday after a 55-42 setback to the Division IV Bears. Hartford reached the playoff semifinals…
Read MoreBy Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2022 LEBANON – Simon Amaro staggered off a corner of the wresting mat in Lebanon High’s Lang Metcalf Gymnasium on Tuesday and headed directly to a small trash can on the lacquered wood floor. Bent at the waist, the senior spit out the contents of his stomach. He readjusted…
Read MoreBy Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2022 HANOVER – Outdoor temperatures dipped below zero Saturday night, but inside Hanover High’s gym, the hosts and Souhegan engaged in heated NHIAA Division II action. Shoves, complaints, insults and unfriendly gestures were freely traded as the Sabers triumphed, 46-34, to remain undefeated. When Hanover’s Max Galbraith fouled out,…
Read MoreBy Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2022 WHITE RIVER JUNCTION – Back and forth on the scoreboard, up and down the court the Hartford High and Brattleboro boys basketball teams went during the first half of their Friday contest at Robert J. Hanley Gymnasium. The Hurricanes held a two-point lead after a quarter and a…
Read MoreBy Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2022 HANOVER – It’s best to get to Hanover High girls basketball games early. There’s plenty of seating, but when it comes to competitiveness, the Marauders’ contests are generally over by halftime. Thursday was more of the same, Hanover trailed early against visiting Hollis-Brookline before taking a seven-point lead…
Read MoreBy Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2022 WEST LEBANON – The Lebanon-Stevens-Mount Royal boys hockey team committed only two penalties during Wednesday’s NHIAA Division III clash with Hollis Brookline-Derryfield. Nonetheless, the Raiders were shorthanded all game. Lebanon’s roster was already smaller than in past seasons and features only one goaltender. Now, take away two of…
Read MoreBy Tris Wykes Copyright Octopus Athletics 2022 WEST LEBANON – Colin Logan is one of today’s rare high school hockey goaltenders to wear eyeglasses beneath his mask. The Belmont-Gilford backstop couldn’t have enjoyed what he saw Saturday, however, for although the Bulldogs scored first, they were soon overwhelmed by Lebanon-Stevens-Mount Royal, 5-2, at Campion Rink.…
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